15 arrested after Piarco shooting

By
Rickie Ramdass rickie.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com

QUICK action by Northern Division officers resulted in the arrest of 15 people yesterday afternoon, following a midday shooting in Piarco.

Most of those arrested however, are expected to be released as they may not have been involved in the incident, said police.

The arrests were made following a high-speed chase between police and the shooters, who attempted to escape after opening fire on a man at a gas station close to Piarco International Airport.

Officers said around noon, the intended victim was standing close to the gas station when a gold-coloured Nissan Almera with several occupants pulled up and opened fire before speeding off. The man however, was not injured.

An exercise headed by Snr Supt David Abraham and coordinated by PC Riley resulted in the vehicle being spotted shortly after, and the officers gave chase. Several minutes later the men abandoned the car in Carapo and attempted to evade the officers by mingling with other men in the area, officers said.

Despite this however, the officers proceeded to detain 15 men for questioning. One of the men reportedly confessed to officers he was the driver and owner of the Almera. The firearm used to carry out the shooting was not recovered, said police.

Up to yesterday evening, those detained were being held at separate stations throughout the division.